Soon mobile that makes deaf people talk

Washington, Aug 17: US engineers are developing a tool which would be able to transmit American Sign Language over US cellular networks.

MobileASL optimises compressed video signals for sign language and delivering intelligible sign language at a data rate of 30 kilobytes per second. It also uses motion detection to identify whether a person is signing or not, in order to extend the phones' battery life during video use.

Transmitting sign language as efficiently as possible increases affordability. It improves reliability on slower networks and extends battery life, even on devices that might have the capacity to deliver higher quality video.

"This is the first study of how deaf people in the United States use mobile video phones. The field study is an important step toward putting this technology into practice," said Eve Riskin, project leader and University of Washington professor of electrical engineering.